Irene V. (LaBarr) Poulson

Irene V. (LaBarr) Poulson, 95, of Clarion passed away Thursday, July 21, 2016 at the Clarion Wellness at Rehabilitation Center.

Funeral services for Irene Poulson will be held on Monday, July 25, 2016 at 1:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 1801 Central Avenue East in Clarion with Pastor Bill Kem officiating. Burial will take place at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Monday.

Irene Viola Poulson was born January 27, 1921 to Ralph and Cecil (Norton) LaBarr in rural Galt, where she was raised. She graduated from Galt High School with the Class of 1939.

Irene was united in marriage to Gale Luverne Poulson on April 12, 1941 in Clarion, where the couple made their home. To this union, children Dennis and Cheryl were born.

Irene worked at Allen Printing and at Clarion Produce for several years, in addition to helping Gale deliver bundles of the Des Moines Register and with a Des Moines Tribune afternoon route of her own, 6 days a week for more than 50 years.

Irene played 500 as part of a card club for several years and she and Gale maintained a massive fruit and vegetable garden. She enjoyed spending countless hours canning their harvest each year. She loved cooking and baking, was famous for her butterscotch meringue and lemon meringue pies, rhubarb roll and her baked macaroni and cheese recipe was a favorite at family reunions and holidays.

Irene was a longtime member of the United Church of Christ Congregational in Clarion, and served funeral lunches and other events with the ladies circles of the church.

Irene will be remembered for her feisty and determined personality, her hard work and her love for her family.

Irene is survived by her children Dennis (Jo) Poulson of Dale City, Virginia and Cheryl Barniskis of Waukesha, Wisconsin; grandchildren Lori Williams of Youngstown, Ohio and Ron (Barbara) Poulson of Waldorf, Maryland; great-grandchildren Keely (Daniel) Prasinos, Travis Williams and Nathan Williams; great, great-grandson Branden Prasinos; sister Lorene Maier of Eagle Grove and brother-in-law Merle Poulson of Clarion; along with numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Irene was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Gale, sisters Phyllis Reines and Emma Wray, brother Ralph “Sonny” LaBarr, Jr., and son-in-law John Barniskis.